Discussion Thread:
Personal Spiritual Disciplines
Ed Price
DSMN 815 Personal Spiritual Formation
December 2022
1
Discussion Thread: Personal Spiritual Disciplines
What percentage of Spiritual Disciples for the Spiritual Life was read for this discussion?
In reading from my Kindle app, I was able to ‘read’ through the entire book, 95%-ish of
pages were turned. I found myself having to highlight the electronic text and make notes outside
the digital text to have references and points of discussion to point back to.
What is Whitney’s theme for the book and what verse does he use to establish that theme?
Do you agree with his use of this verse in establishing this premise? Why or why not?
The overall theme for the book is disciplining oneself for the purpose or goal of
godliness. The author uses 1 Timothy 4:7: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness”
(NASB).1 In other words, if your purpose is godliness—and godliness is your purpose if you are
indwelled by the Holy Spirit, for He makes godliness your purpose—then how do you pursue
that purpose? According to this verse, the want to be disciple must, “discipline yourself for the
purpose of godliness.”2 This verse is the theme for the entire book.
I can agree with the author that this verse summarizes his intent to convey the theme of
the book. In my opinion, the author does a fair job unpacking the meaning and intention of the
verse. Whitney also takes time and makes clear the steps a believer needs to take to discipline
themselves to become more like Jesus. The author also works out the practical application of
faith a believer should pursue to develop what he calls ‘Spiritual Disciplines’3 I truly appreciated
the clarity by the author when he tells us; “Spiritual disciplines are activities, not attitudes.
Disciplines are practices, not character qualities, graces, or “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-
23).4 That early qualification helped set up my expectation for the reading.
1 Stephen Arterburn, Dean Merrill, and Tyndale, Every Man’s Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream: Tyndale
House Publishers, Inc., 2012), 1 Timothy 4:7.
2 Donald S Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Colorado Springs: Navpress, 2014), 4.
3 Ibid, 4.
4 Ibid, 7.
2
Whitney argues that “Spiritual Disciplines are those practices found in Scripture that
promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.” The key here is
that he limits Spiritual Disciplines to “those practices found in Scripture.” Considering
that, he has a chapter on journaling. Do you believe that chapter and his argument there
meet his own criteria? Why or why not?
Whitney vacillates in his argument for and against journaling in the first few pages of
chapter eleven. The author builds a case for journaling by referring to the written accounts of
David and Jeremiah and how they recorded what was most important to them. The example of
these men in writing their prayers, meditations, questions, and more, provides scriptural
validation for encouraging Christians today to consider the value of doing the same in
journaling.5 Whitney speaks of a journal being a tool to be used by a Christian; “your journal is a
place to reflect upon God’s Word and the riches of God’s grace to us in the gospel of Jesus
Christ, and how we move forward in enjoying those riches.”6
I do not believe that the author meets his own criteria and fully explains and validates
journaling a spiritual discipline. The author does make a valid argument that recording one’s
thoughts through writing can be an effective tool in strengthening our spiritual disciplines. At
the same time, it can be somewhat misleading as he does refer to journaling as a spiritual
discipline amid his argument, “Remember, the goal of becoming more like Jesus should be the
main reason for beginning any Spiritual Discipline, including this one.”7 The author also states
the following; I believe a case can be made—to a greater or lesser extent for each—that the
following personal Spiritual Disciplines are commended in Scripture: Bible intake, prayer,
worship, evangelism, service, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and
5 Ibid, 251.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
3
learning.”8 The author clearly values journaling as a discipline that is integral to spiritual
development. The author fails to create a clear, compelling argument backed by scripture that
shows the evidence that journaling should be included in the spiritual disciplines discussed in his
book.
Assuming that God uses Spiritual Disciplines to help grow us in godliness, take a moment
and pray and reflect upon which discipline God wants you to utilize more faithfully in your
life to grow in godliness. How do you specifically and practically plan on being more
faithful in the practice of that discipline? Share your plan with us.
I can confirm that in my quiet time the Lord has recently revealed to me that He wants to
use fasting in my life to grow me in godliness. I’ve known this for some time and have fasted
from time to time. Over the years I have had two significant fasts: a 17-day fast and a 23-day
fast. Those previous fasts were done before I had my conversion and became a follower of
Jesus. I therefore don’t recall having gone into those fasts with a spiritual objective. I was
fasting for purely physical results.
Knowing more now about fasting from a biblical perspective, I feel drawn and led to
begin an annual rhythm of fasting to deepen my ability to connect with God my Father. My
intention moving forward is to fast in unison with my wife, Nancy, for accountability. I also
have a strong mentor in a senior Christian brother who fasts regularly. This partner in fasting has
deep experience with the physical and spiritual challenges and potential growth that can come
from intentional, effective fasting. My belief is that as a couple, we will go into fasting cycles
with a spiritual gain in mind and the physical benefits will be a welcome by-product. I will also
share my plans with my spiritual mentor, my men’s small group and my immediate supervisor to
ensure accountability.
8 Ibid, 7.
4
Find one other definitive statement given in the book with which you strongly agreed or
disagreed. Explain and defend from Scripture your strong response considering that
statement.
The statement that I strongly agree with is “Spiritual Disciplines are activities, not
attitudes. Disciplines are practices, not character qualities, graces, or “fruit of the Spirit.”9 In my
opinion, the statement that can be cojoined alongside is “Spiritual Disciplines are practices
derived from the gospel, not divorced from the gospel.”10 What I love about these statements is
it clearly shows us that to develop spiritual disciplines requires action, but also reminds me that
the Word of God demands we practice our faith in order to mature as disciples. I love the idea of
practicing my faith. There is never a completion or end date. There is no perfection except
Jesus, and we are made to work out our salvation by growing in our faith and activating others to
hear and know the gospel.
I love how Jesus teaches us to practice spiritual disciplines in private, “And when you
fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting
may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you
fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but
by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”11
What Jesus is speaking to me is don’t be prideful or boastful about the things, the actions,
you take to meet Me and draw nearer to Me.
In speaking about scripture, the living Word of God, we are also reminded how
important it is to partake in the study of the Word. The Prophet Joshua tells us, “This Book
of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night.” 12
9 Ibid, 6.
10 Ibid, 8.
11 Ibid, Matthew 6: 16-18.
12 Ibid, Joshua 1:8.
5
What a promise we have from our God that if we meditate, chew on, the Word of God, He
will be with and bless us. Timothy reminds us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the
man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”13 The authenticity of God’s
Word makes it exactly what we need as disciples to allow us to grow and be sanctified in
our pursuit of Him.
Regarding prayer as a spiritual discipline, the apostle Paul, in his letter to the church
at Thessalonica tells the church, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”14 In considering this, to
pray without ceasing is the goal and in doing so develops an attitude of gratitude that can
only strengthen a disciple in their walk. Jesus goes further to remind us to check our pride
when it comes to prayer, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they
love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by
others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your
room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees
in secret will reward you.”15
Bibliography
Arterburn, Stephen, Dean Merrill, and Tyndale. Every Man’s Bible: New Living Translation.
Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012.
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: Navpress,
2014.
13 Ibid, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
14 Ibid, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
15 Ibid, Matthew 6:5-6.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
